Although it seems quite odd, I enjoyed my trip immensely. Despite the barrier that was created due to differences in language, I mostly found everything amusing and to my taste.
I expected myself to utter these thoughts to a close friend or acquaintance. The moment never came. In fact, what I experienced was really stunning.
(In July 2018)
My trip to China was decided and a must. It was a wholesome week full of travel, food, and sightseeing and of course the primary reason I was visiting the country, due to the three-week course organised by the Ministry of Commerce of China. My luggage was packed, ticket safely folded into my passport, devices charged, cameras positioned and mood in a full swing to visit new places. The atmosphere was in a great mood. I couldn’t tell if it was only me or the whole ambience had shifted.
Boarding to the plane, I felt the excitement running through my veins. I knew something was coming.
When you envision Shanghai, it seems quite the technological hub with people having small stout noses and small horizontal eyes. Yes. That is the truth. But what one does not envision is the exclusivity the country has with the rest of the world. That being my perspective at first, totally changed when I had the chance to use VPN and access my social media handle.
Comparison with Gambia is little. However, the countries both can help each other in pluralistic approaches to understand each other’s culture and respect.
After leaving the airport I was in total disarray. My cellular network lost me, my social media handle lost me and besides everything, I lost track of the world.
But I didn’t give up hope. This new anthropological opportunity allowed me to distance myself from technology and bond with human interaction after so long. So, I decided to take this as a challenge and build new bridges with humanity…
I was visiting and due to that was staying in a hotel. Although my stay was prolonged, I did not want to shut myself in just a room. So I decided to leave the hotel for some sightseeing.
As I moved onto the street to find myself transportation, a hand reached for my purse and tucked it really hard that I lost balance. As I turned to retaliate my purse slipped off and came hurtling onto the pavement with a loud thud. A still could make the face of the mugger but till the time I could regain my bearings, he was long gone.
People gathered around after realising what had actually happened. Although not understanding a single sound from any of those individuals, I made humanly gestures of pain and help. Signs apparently are universal. One of the smart gentlemen pulled out his smartphone and to my surprise and astonishment used Google Translator to communicate with me.
Eventually, I filed a complaint and headed towards my hotel. Although having lost all my belongings and most importantly my phone, I still kept a positive mindset and did not let one bad misfortune make my perception of an entire country or community.
Despite that particular event, I enjoyed my stay. The food, the locals, the culture and most importantly their importance to the authority at hand. It inspired me the most. Coming from a democratic society, I was quite moved by their happiness and loyalty to a government only led by a single party.
My course was particularly fun, I learned plenty and realised the differences in both countries of Gambia and China. The real thing which I found common up till that point was the mugging incident, which was very common back in Gambia but to find it happening in China was astonishing.
China should build bridges but yes metaphorically, the one road initiative can be used for good measures in Gambia as well.
The opportunity for better relations between the two countries of China and Gambia makes me more positive regardless of this event. I will still strive to make things better and stand up even after intentions of belittling me.
I wish to return and make more experiences and memories with the locals. I also intend to learn Mandarin as it would serve as a viable resource in the near future.
